The best thing about this rod is that it’s the lightest rod out there in it’s class. The other nice thing is that the handle is designed for one-handed fishing. You don’t feel awkward casting with one hand and carrying your box of fish toys with the other hand during a walk. On the downside, the eyelets are small, so you need slick line (the general warning about braid not being great for casting applies here) and it also breaks easily if you haul against a rock. A reel with a drag setting is highly suggested if you hit a big one. A good pairing would be a Shimano 2000 series spinning reel with this rod.